According to the Center for Homeland Defense and Security, there were 2,069 shooting incidents at K-12 schools between January of 1970 and June of 2022, with 684 fatalities and 1,937 injuries. This has us at an average of roughly 40 school shootings every year over the course of 52 years. In reality, though, 2022 itself was considered the worst year for school shootings with an alleged count of over 300 shootings on school grounds. This data doesn’t even take into consideration shootings at universities, such as the most recent shooting in the public conscience – the one that occurred in East Lansing.

No matter what side of the fence you’re on politically, it’s undeniable how terrifying this notion is. We keep watching the same things happen again and again. I, as a student, often find myself paranoid that, on any day, a tragedy could happen at this very school. In fact, that alone is the reason I thought to post this article – my morbid fascination with the tragedy that occurred at Michigan State University at the beginning of this month worked in tandem with my own paranoia to spawn this idea. 

I won’t pretend I have an answer that will solve this problem, though. I don’t. Nobody has all the answers. But it’s now more than ever that we as Americans have to work together, to set aside our differences and figure out something that will keep students safe. It’s not going to be easy, but something has to give.
Hopefully, society will be able to find a solution, and we can move into a world where we can raise our own kids without worrying about them being unsafe at school. Until then, though, we need to be aware of what has happened, and to mourn those we’ve lost. We can’t forget innocent people who lost their lives to unnecessary violence, nor let their loved ones suffer alone. 

Rest in peace to Arielle Anderson (19), Brian Fraser (20), and Alexandria Verner (20), who lost their lives at MSU, as well as countless others who died at the hands of gunmen in places that should have been safe. You will not be forgotten.